Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
15th Edition
ISBN: 9781337408332
Author: Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher: Cengage Learning
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 26, Problem 1DAA

Data Analysis Activities

Neanderthal Hair Color The MC1R gene regulates pigmentation in humans (Sections 13.5 and 14.2), so Loss-of-function mutations in this gene affect hair and skin color. A person with two mutated alleles for this gene makes more of the reddish melanin than the brownish melanin, resu.lti.ng in red hair and pale skin. DNA extracted from two Neanderthal fossils contains a mutated MC1R allele that has not yet been found in humans. To see how the Neanderthal mutation affects the function of the MC1R gene, Carles Lalueza-Fox and her team introduced the allele in to cultured monkey cells (FIGURE 26.12).

Chapter 26, Problem 1DAA, Data Analysis Activities Neanderthal Hair Color The MC1R gene regulates pigmentation in humans

FIGURE 26.12 MC1Ractivity. Activity is shown in monkey cells transgenic for an unmutated MC1R gene, the Neanderthal MC1R allele, or the gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP). GFP is not related to MC1R.

How did MCR1 activity in monkey cells with the mutant allele differ from that in cells with the normal allele?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To explain: The way in which the MC1R activity in the monkey cells with the mutant allele differs from that in cells with the normal allele.

Introduction: Neanderthals are extinct hominins that are the closest relatives of Homo sapiens and habituated to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The pigmentation in humans is regulated by MC1R. The loss of function mutation in the MC1R gene, in turn, affects the skin and hair color. The homozygous mutation of the gene results in red hair and pale skin phenotypes.

Explanation of Solution

Scientist C and her team worked on MC1R mutated form that was present only in the Neanderthals. The team incorporated the allele from Neanderthal into cultured monkey cells.

Based on the results from the experiment, a graph was plotted with the concentration of the hormone that stimulates MC1R in the X-axis and the activity of MC1R in the Y-axis. Three scatter plots were plotted: one for green fluorescent protein (GFP), one for Neanderthal MC1R allele, and one for unmutated human MC1R allele. The activity of MC1R was very high in the transgenic monkey cells when compared to the normal allele.

Conclusion

The MC1R activity in the monkey cells with the mutant allele was much greater than the cells that had a normal allele for MC1R.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
What are biofertilizers and mention the significance
PCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen.     How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans?   Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.
Other than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...
Biology
ISBN:9781305073951
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...
Biology
ISBN:9781337408332
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...
Biology
ISBN:9781305251052
Author:Michael Cummings
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...
Biology
ISBN:9781305117396
Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Mitochondrial mutations; Author: Useful Genetics;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvgXe-3RJeU;License: CC-BY